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Small Cabin Forum / Off-Grid Living / Where to buy Eccotemp? (tankless propane hot water heater)
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pod222
Member
# Posted: 7 Aug 2011 17:28
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Does anyone know where I could buy an Eccotemp tankless propane hot water heater? Ideally I'd like to buy in Canada. If anyone has bought online from the U.S., approximately how much was the shipping and duty?
Thanks!

nicalisa
Member
# Posted: 7 Aug 2011 18:39
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Deckers Online
http://www.hotcampshowers.com/

I got mine here. I had it shipped to the border and picked it up in the states. It would have been 90 dollars in shipping (vs. the 15 to ship in the states)

Tax/Duty was 0. I gave them my shipping bill and they waived me through....i guess on 120 bucks, they figured why bother???

CutawayKid
# Posted: 23 Aug 2011 18:21
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If you are still looking, I got mine here

http://shop.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=667361

I have the the deluxe model $239.00 and it has worked very well, but you do need to have a a specific minimum flow of water for the burner to ignite. Sometimes when my small pressure tank gets low I don't have enough flow for it to turn on, but still have enough pressure in the tank so that my pump won't kick on. Minor issue that will undoubtedly lead to the purchase of a larger pressure tank.

PlicketyCat
Member
# Posted: 25 Aug 2011 17:20
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CutawayKid we've been looking at the Zodi shower pump because our system at the dry cabin is not pressurized (so EccoTemp won't work for us). We're trying to determine whether an inline on demand pump might work better and be more efficient than attempting to plumb in a pressure tank. We're researching pressure tanks and they all seem to have the problem you're describing unless they're really large (i.e. overkill for our needs)... which brand and size do you have? What type of pump are you using? Well or cistern/tank?

razmichael
Member
# Posted: 1 Sep 2011 08:27
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We have lake front property and are slowly moving forward with our plans to build a small cabin. In the mean time we have a pop up trailer and spend a lot of time living out of this. We picked up a Zodi (the basic single propane canister model) a couple of years ago and love it. Very simple, robust and packs away in a small case. Along with a shower tent, this is used to shower, heat water for dishes etc. Down sides?: not really on-demand - you need to start up the pump and then ignite the heater; pump is small so the water flow is not huge (this can be a plus if you need to conserve water). Although we love the Zodi and, being truly portable and complete, it can be used for camping and other activities, I have just picked up a eccotemp L5 and started to build the cabin system (true - we do not have the cabin yet). My test setup includes a 12vdc pump, a hot/cold faucet with micro switches, some PEX plumbing and fittings. Turning on either faucet starts up the pump and the water flow. If the hot faucet is turned on, the water starts to flow through the eccotemp and it ignites providing very hot water! This provides both hot and cold running water at the turn of a tap or two. I will eventually have a shower and a sink - all from the single pump and heater (I suspect that pressure limitations will limit the use of both at the same time but this should not be an issue. At this stage I'm drawing the water from a single storage tank but will start to play with using two tanks - one with lake water and then drawing this through a filter to the "clean" tank.

Anonymous
# Posted: 1 Sep 2011 08:43
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Zori works. But I have a issue with it because it does not shut off when the water flow stops. So you can end up with a burned out unit and possibly a burned down shower.

razmichael
Member
# Posted: 1 Sep 2011 10:02
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It may just come down to how you want to use it and how simple/portable you want it to be. You are right about the ZODI - it does not shut down, however it is not meant to be a system installed somewhere hidden away but right beside where you are using it so if the water stops - you turn it off. In fact what we do is fill up the container, stick both the pump and output line in the container and start it up. This recycles the water to get it good and hot then turn off the propane. When you are all ready to shower then just use the pump to provide the hot water from the container (or just transfer the water to the sink for dishes etc). The ZODI systems are simple with no bells and whistles but this is also why you rarely hear about them breaking down. Always a trade off. The downside to something like the eccotemp L5 is that the required pressure and water flow for operation will also use up much more water so if you need to conserve, it will not be an optimum choice. Although the L5 is considered portable - it is not really since you need to also provide all the plumbing and pump (or pressured water from some other source.

rayyy
Member
# Posted: 3 Sep 2011 18:08
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E-bay or amazon.I got one for my place and it's great.I have a 12 volt RV water pump on a 55 gal barrel of water.Hooked to a regular 20 pound propane tank,Turn the shower wand on,water flows,kicks on the burner,3 seconds later,nice warm shower water,hot shower for as long as you want!

razmichael
Member
# Posted: 3 Sep 2011 19:37
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I ordered my L5 from energystead.com (best price I could find including shipping to canada). I purchased the package that included the pump and filter.
Rayyy, if you want to take one more step - I have finished my test setup that includes a "Marine" faucet/shower setup (that includes micro switches on both the hot and cold taps - about $90). With PEX hoses and some fittings I have the outlet from the pump split into two lines - one line running to the cold faucet and the other through the L5 to the hot faucet. Open either tap and the pump kicks in. If the hot tap is opened then water runs through the L5 and is heated. This provides running hot and cold water including both at the same time. I have not noticed an issue with too little pressure to start the L5 when both taps are open although I have been playing with the L5 settings to reduce the water flow. When I finalize the plumbing I will have runs to a shower and a separate sink (not that both will likely be used at the same time). All taps will be wired through to the pump and the water will flow to the open tap(s). I love my Zodi for a small, portable system but, assuming the L5 is reliable, this will make a very nice built in system.

rayyy
Member
# Posted: 4 Sep 2011 04:25
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Sounds great,Razmichael.I have been using Pex tubing and Propress copper fittings at work for a few years now along with all battery powered tools.Boy,I wished they'ed have invented this stuff 40 years ago!

cabin_pal
Member
# Posted: 5 Sep 2011 00:38
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This may not help Canadian buyers with regard to shipping, but I just obtained an Eccotemp L5 from MyRubberneck.com. Here's the link:

http://www.myrubberneck.com/mrl5.html

They appear to have the best prices around, and I couldn't be happier with their prompt shipping and responsive customer service.

I paid $109.17 US for my unit, plus a promotional $5.00 shipping charge (a special which has since ended). Still, Rubberneck's L5 price is almost $7 lower than energystead's basic unit price, though this latter company does appear to offer some wonderful, full-package systems.

There certainly are some good alternative energy options out there, nowadays!

razmichael
Member
# Posted: 5 Sep 2011 09:47
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Hi cabin_pal, thanks for pointing out Rubberneck - I now remember finding them very well priced. In the end I went with energystead because of the package price and Canadian shipping costs - no way could I find a better price for the combination of the L5, 2.9 gpm pump and strainer. As I mentioned earlier, I also picked up a faucet/shower set with microswitches (Whale RT2498 - URL to provide an on-demand hot and cold running water system with the single pump (actually the final system will operate both the shower and an additional sink in the Kitchen (with perhaps a third outside sink) - not at the same time obviously). This model is available at a number of marine shops for less than $100. A similar faucet only (no shower extension) is less than $80. My disclaimer is that it is a test set-up rather than operational at a cabin! Once I get it mounted I'll post a picture if anyone is interested. I've been testing how to add in my Sawyer .02 filter but my original plan does not work as expected so this will be migrated to plan B.

cabin_pal
Member
# Posted: 5 Sep 2011 15:41
Reply 


Hi Razmichael, your system sure sounds like a viable one; I'd be interested in seeing photos, once you get it operational at your cabin. I'm fortunate that the terrain of my property -- a gently sloping valley nestled between two hills, one much higher than the other -- affords numerous gravity-fed options. Like you, though, I'm still in the planning and experimental stages, and haven't put in a permanent installation yet. For a pumped system option, I also have a Shurflo Model # 2088-403-444, which is rated at 2.8 GPM at up to 40 PSI. Still in the box and haven't tried it yet, but it does incorporate an internal pressure switch: senses whether or not a conventional tap is open, and automatically turns on or off, accordingly. This would eliminate the need for microswitches, I believe, at individual taps. Like I said, I haven't tried it out yet, but may be doing so this coming weekend. Thanks for sharing your ideas and providing the valuable lead to energystead. Keep us posted on how your own system ultimately performs.

razmichael
Member
# Posted: 5 Sep 2011 16:46
Reply 


Hi cabin_pal, My pump also incorporates a pressure switch but I think these are best run in this mode when using a pressure tank. I've by-passed the pressure switch and just use it as an on-demand pump. I can't think of any reason why it would not work directly although this would means the lines would be under constant pressure (as they would be with a pressure tank). For reasons I will not go into here, I'm staying away from a pressure tank. Mostly, I was happy to find that I could run both the hot and cold at the same time (single pump) and the pressure was high enough to start up the L5.

Regrettably it will be a while until I have a cabin set-up to show - I was hoping to start the build this fall but have been dealing with some legal issues to do with the land so I will likely be delayed until the spring. I have my plans all ready and have been getting great input from this forum. For the last couple of years I have been camping at the lake with the family in a Pop Up trailer and have been developing systems for it that can be migrated over to the cabin (for example power system). My water system will have two stages with the first being the water collector (both lake and/or rain with large stuff filtered out) and then this will be filtered through the Sawyer filter to the 'clean side'. This will require some manual work. My wife is a bit more paranoid than I am about water safety so even with the filtering, drinking water will likely be carried in.

cabin_pal
Member
# Posted: 5 Sep 2011 20:12
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Hi Razmichael, sounds like we may have the same pump, and I'm heartened to hear it can supply water to both the L5 for heating and a separate tap at the same time. I also don't have a permanent water system installed at this time. My cabin is old and primitive and I only get to visit the land a few times a year. Progress is slow but sure on my envisioned projects, proceeding as leisure time and available funds permit. Hopefully I'll be able to try the water pump this week while on vacation, and see if it'll meet my needs with just its integral pressure switch. Whether or not it does, I'm more likely to develop my gravity-feed options, as the higher pressure and low-maintenance aspect of a gravity system I find more alluring. I understand that not everyone has this option. Good luck on your cabin build in the spring.

hinterland
Member
# Posted: 12 Jan 2012 13:11
Reply 


We bought the Zodi X40 Outfitter direct from Zodi and had it shipped to Alberta. $89 + duty. It did not work for our purpose. We need to shut off while having a shower. We returned it for another shipping fee of $89. We are now ordering through Energystead.com a Eccotemp L5 bundle with the pump. Shipping is $49 and the bundle ia $174

SE Ohio
Member
# Posted: 12 Jan 2012 21:04
Reply 


An alternative system- We (on stove) heat about 3-5 gallons of water up to a nice warm temp, then use a 12 volt pump with tubing hooked up to a shower head. A 12 v bilge pump can be had on sale for ~$30 at Harbor Freight, and a low flow shower head and hardware are obtainable at most big box stores (and small box stores too...) Overall, this might cost less?

campshower
Member
# Posted: 20 Feb 2012 13:50 - Edited by: campshower
Reply 


Quoting: pod222
Does anyone know where I could buy an Eccotemp tankless propane hot water heater? Ideally I'd like to buy in Canada. If anyone has bought online from the U.S., approximately how much was the shipping and duty?
Thanks!

Camping Shower World charges $48 to ship to Canada and No Custom Fees.

campshower
Member
# Posted: 20 Feb 2012 14:01
Reply 


Quoting: PlicketyCat
CutawayKid we've been looking at the Zodi shower pump because our system at the dry cabin is not pressurized (so EccoTemp won't work for us).


If you don't have pressure at the cabin the Eccotemp L5 bundle can solve your problem. It comes with a 50PSI water pump to provide the pressure needed. Eccotemp L5 Bundle
If you already own the Eccotemp L5 the pump and strainer can be purchased separately: Flojet Water Pump
Flojet Strainer

jcorrigan
Member
# Posted: 23 Feb 2012 18:22
Reply 


I got mine at Costco online of all places after searching the net for different hot shower ideas (black water pipes in the sun etc.). It was $135 including shipping.

rayyy
Member
# Posted: 25 Feb 2012 06:51
Reply 


So it's been 7 months now,pod222.Did you ever get one???

Lucy
# Posted: 28 May 2012 10:50
Reply 


CutawayKid we've been looking at the Zodi shower pump because our system at the dry cabin is not pressurized (so EccoTemp won't work for us). We're trying to determine whether an inline on demand pump might work better and be more efficient than attempting to plumb in a pressure tank. We're researching pressure tanks and they all seem to have the problem you're describing unless they're really large (i.e. overkill for our needs)... which brand and size do you have? What type of pump are you using? Well or cistern/tank?

Actually the small eccotemp works for us at the cabin. You need at least 20lb of pressure.
We use a gas pump to pump up to our 300 gallon tank and have a hose running from it to the eccotemp. which is just outside the kitchen door. With this we get all the hot water for cleaning up. Because it is not quite high enough I am not able to use the shower attachment as that restricts the flow too much and the gas wont ignite.
Zodi has a battery operated pump that you can drop into a pail of hot water for your shower.

razmichael
Member
# Posted: 28 May 2012 12:23
Reply 


I have both the Zodi and the eccotemp and like both of them but they are really very different tools. You will see many people unhappy with the zodi when they find out that it is not really an on-demand system as most expect. You need to start the pump first, then manually (pizo switch option that still needs to be pushed) to start the heater. Reverse order for shutdown. It is however small, portable and self contained. I find it really works best to re-circulate the water into the container until you get the desired temperature and then shut off the heater and just use the pump. The zodi works great for what it is designed for.
Having said that, for a more permanent solution (staying in one place), the eccotemp works really well. You can use a pressure tank with a small 12v pump or just just use the pump directly (as I do). Many purchase packages come with a pump and there are some examples earlier in the thread. Most of these pumps include a built in pressure switch for a tank or can be wired directly on/off. Since you have an eccotemp already, I would just be tempted to add an in-line pump (assuming you have 12v power). My system uses marine/rv taps with micro switches. Turn on a tap and the pump comes on - if the hot tap is on the water flows through the L5 and and it ignites. Many others prefer a pressure tank. So far the system works great for a kitchen and shower (I don't try to use both at the same time).

skootamattaschm idty
# Posted: 29 May 2012 13:10
Reply 


I got mine through Overstock.com. They ship to Canada and it only took a few days. I can't remember what the total was for shipping but it was reasonable.

woodro1
# Posted: 30 May 2012 20:28
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For any members living in Canada the Eccotemp 5L is available through Amazon.ca.

I ordered one a couple of weeks ago for $123.00 with free shipping. I hooked the unit up using the 12 v pump from my trailer. It was much easier than I thought. The kit included all the fitting needed to hook up to different sized conections.

Hot water was supplied immediately...easy to contol....luke warm to near scalding..even a control to regulatel water pressure. My wife said it was the " best purchase " I've made for our camp.

Well worth the investment!

Cheers,

Woodsy

cabin_pal
Member
# Posted: 7 Sep 2014 09:30
Reply 


Quoting: cabin_pal
This may not help Canadian buyers with regard to shipping, but I just obtained an Eccotemp L5 from MyRubberneck.com.


Sad to report, but this company which gave me prompt service 3 years ago can no longer be trusted. I ordered another Eccotemp L5 tankless water heater from MyRubberneck.com a month ago, and still have not received the unit. My repeated emails and phone calls to the company have gone unanswered. Curious, I checked MyRubberneck's reputation with the Better Business Bureau and discovered that over 20 complaints have been filed against it! Now, I have lost the $119 taken directly from my bank account (having foolishly used a debit card for this on-line purchase) and must withdraw my endorsement of MyRubberneck.com as a place to obtain the L5 water heater. From my experience, the Eccotemp L5 is an excellent choice for remote cabin water heating. However, be careful where you buy it from, checking the vendor's business reputation before ordering. And always use a credit -- not a debit -- card for greater recourse to a refund, should your on-line purchase go awry, as did mine.

campshower
Member
# Posted: 14 Aug 2015 10:45 - Edited by: campshower
Reply 


http://outdoortankless.com is located in Canada and the great thing about them is that they carry replacement parts as well so if your Eccotemp water heater breaks down you can order the part from them instead of buying from a US store and paying high shipping fees.

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